Plumber Salary in Massachusetts 2026:
$93,880 Average ($45.14/hr)
Updated 19 June 2026
Massachusetts plumbers earn $30,080 above the national median of $63,800. Here is the full breakdown by metro, experience level, and licensing.
Massachusetts Median
$93,880/yr
Hourly Rate
$45.14/hr
vs National
+$30,080
Top 10% Earn
$135,080+
Where Massachusetts Ranks Nationally
National Rank (Raw Pay)
#5
of 50 states
Cost of Living Index
131
100 = national average
COL-Adjusted Salary
$71,664
purchasing power equiv.
Plumber Pay by Metro Area in Massachusetts
Wages vary significantly within the state. Major metros with strong union presence tend to pay the most.
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Boston Metro | $106,100 |
| Worcester Metro | $88,500 |
| Springfield Metro | $84,100 |
| Barnstable (Cape Cod) | $85,800 |
| Lowell-Billerica | $96,100 |
Metro figures are estimates derived from the BLS OEWS May 2025 state median; actual MSA wages vary.
Pay by Experience Level in Massachusetts
Career stage matters more than any other factor except geography. Here is what each level earns in Massachusetts.
| Career Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $22 - $30/hr | $46,000 - $62,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4) | $32 - $42/hr | $67,000 - $87,000 |
| Journeyman | $40 - $55/hr | $83,000 - $114,000 |
| Master Plumber (Employee) | $50 - $65/hr | $104,000 - $135,000 |
| Self-Employed Owner | $110 - $210/hr billed | $100,000 - $275,000 net |
Massachusetts Plumbing License Requirements
To work legally as a plumber in Massachusetts, you must hold the appropriate state license. Here is what is required.
Licensing Authority
Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation - Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters
Journeyman Requirement
4 years OJT as apprentice
Master Plumber Requirement
3 years as journeyman
Reciprocity
No - Massachusetts does not have reciprocity
Exam Fee
$200 exam fee
Full 50-state licensing matrix: plumbing license requirements by state.
Union Plumbers in Massachusetts
UA Local 12 (Boston - one of the strongest Locals in the Northeast), UA Local 138 (Springfield). ~45% of plumbers in Massachusetts are union.
Union plumbers in Massachusetts typically earn 25 to 40 percent more in total compensation (base wages plus health insurance, pension, and annuity) compared to non-union plumbers at the same experience level. See the full comparison at union vs non-union plumber pay.
Job Outlook in Massachusetts
Massachusetts, particularly the Boston metro, is one of the highest-paying plumbing markets in the country. The large healthcare construction pipeline (hospitals, biotech labs), university expansion, and life sciences facilities in the Cambridge-Boston corridor drive strong commercial plumbing demand. UA Local 12 is one of the highest-paid plumbers locals in the Northeast.
Biggest Employers in Massachusetts
- +Suffolk Construction
- +Consigli Construction
- +Turner Construction Boston
- +Shawmut Design and Construction
- +Skanska Boston